Oregon Senator Ron Wyden joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and a group of other Senators to introduce a bill that would retroactively extend the $600 weekly federal boost to unemployment insurance benefits through October 2021.  The American Worker Holiday Relief Act would also tie the additional weeks of federal benefits and new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program for gig and freelance workers to economic conditions on the ground.   The additional weeks of federal benefits and the program for gig and freelance workers would not expire as long as the three month average national unemployment rate is above 5.5 percent, and will stay available longer in states where unemployment remains high.  The bill would add 26 weeks of federal benefits for workers receiving traditional unemployment insurance.  Wyden said the bill is designed to provide relief for workers who are hanging by a thread.

The Oregon Attorney General’s Office is reminding Oregonians to make careful and informed decisions when donating to charities.  Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum advises people to do their research, and use websites like Guide Star, Charity Navigator, and the Better Business Bureau to find the missions and programs right for you.  Only give to registered charities, be wary of telephone, text, e-mail, or door-to-door solicitations, and remember that not all gifts are tax deductible.  If you have concerns about a solicitation, call the Attorney General office’s Charitable Activities Section at 971-673-1880.

The Project ELFF (Everyone Loves A Firefighter) canned food drive put on by the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Volunteer Association will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday in The Dalles with some changes due to the pandemic.  Instead of fire trucks going through town to collect canned food, the public is asked to bring donations to public schools in The Dalles, Columbia Gorge Community College, St. Mary’s Academy, or the closest fire station between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.  Fire apparatus and personnel will be on location awaiting your donation.  Dallesport-Murdock firefighters will still do front porch pickup in their community on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Just leave the donation on your porch with the light on.

Hood River Valley High School’s canned food drive for FISH Food Bank is carrying on in spite of the pandemic.  There are donation bins at Safeway and Rosauers in Hood River.  In addition, HRV activities director Lindsy Weseman says they will be accepting donations at the high school on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 for the next three weeks, and also on Saturday, December 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Information on the drive is available by going to hrvhs.com and clicking on the activities page.

A virtual fundraiser for the proposed Deschutes River Athletic Complex on the South Wasco High School campus in Maupin will take place on December 9.  Phase one of the project includes an eight-lane track that could host “pop-up” meets and training for high-level athletes along with allowing the school to host meets…along with alignment of the football field with improved spectator seating, working lighting for nighttime events, and a new concessions area.  The on-line fundraiser will be on December 9 at 6 p.m.  For a free ticket and to learn more about the project, go to maupindrac.org.

A virtual public hearing on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for replacement of the Hood River/White Salmon Interstate Bridge is scheduled for Thursday evening.  The Port of Hood River’s Kevin Greenwood says the document is available for review at portofhoodriver.com, adding it covers a number of elements of the project.  Thursday’s public hearing will start at 5:30 p.m.  Log-in information is available at portofhoodriver.com.  Comment will be taken through January 4.

Columbia Gorge Community College board member Kim Morgan has been named as vice president of the Oregon Community College Association, setting her up to assume that panel’s presidency in a couple of years.  Morgan has represented CGCC on the state association board for the past three years.  Morgan joined the board of Columbia Gorge Community College in May 2017.  She will stand for re-election to the CGCC board next spring.  If re-elected, she would serve a full one-year term as OCCA vice president and then automatically assume the statewide presidency for a two-year term.

A different kind of Starlight Parade is planned for Friday evening in downtown The Dalles.  This year, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquhason says the floats will be parked on Third Street and people can drive by in their cars to see them.  The floats will be in the left hand lane of 3rd Street, and people will drive by slowly in the right hand lane.  The Dalles Public Works Department will place no parking signs along the Reverse Starlight Parade route on 3rd Street between Lincoln and Monroe.  The traveling public is asked to leave all parking spaces open along the parade route on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

With COVID-19 cases on the rise around the country, including in the Columbia River Gorge, health officials continue to urge people not to travel and avoid social gatherings over the Thanksgiving holiday.  Oregon Governor Kate Brown’s two-week “freeze” directs the public to gather in groups no larger than six, and to draw guests from no more than two household, but health officials say it is safer still is to stay home for Thanksgiving, and perhaps visit family virtually.  Hood River County Health Officer Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg asks people to consider how to have a meaningful experience with friends and family without traveling and visiting in person.  Wasco County has reported nearly 100 COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks, and Hood River County has had 68 in that time frame.

The White Salmon Valley School District will continue with distance learning into the New Year.  The district had hoped to begin to move into hybrid learning and bring students back into classrooms on a part-time basis during December, but Superintendent Jerry Lewis says increasing case counts in Klickitat County forced them to change plans.  The Klickitat County Health Department has approved the district continuing to bring in small groups of students to receive individualized instruction and support.